Q'orianka Kilcher - german world magazine

USA:
Father and Son on US mission
For trainer Bob and player Michael Bradley (22) the World Cup with
the USA selection is more than just a family vacation. A week after the 2006 World Cup Bob Bradley
(52) replaced Bruce Arena as national trainer. The sports manager from Montclair, New Jersey, can
point to a record-winning career in the Major League Soccer (MLS). IN 2007 he led the US to
victory at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. “We are playing in a group where we have a good chance of
advancing to the next round. But there is a fine line between winning and losing,” says son Michael
Bradley, who is signed on with the German Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Captain of the US team is Carlos Bocanegra (31). The defender from Mexico has been a
member of the national team since 2001. He has played with French first league club Stades
Rennes since 2008. The top star of the team is the charismatic Landon Donovan (28). The
Californian played center forward for years in the German Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen and
for a short while with FC Bayern München. The top scorer is signed on with the Los Angeles
Galaxy in the Major League Soccer (MLS).
Two years ago the American soccer players proved they have what it takes to surprise soccer
pundits — in South Africa. At the Confederations Cup they were knocked out only in the finals
match against record world champion Brazil. In the semifinals they defeated European Champion
Spain, the overwhelming favorite. If they succeed again with this coup de main, soccer players in
their country will have made a huge step out of the shadow of the dominant sports of baseball, football
and basketball. At any rate their team victory at the World Cup qualifying matches in the North,
Central and Caribbeam zone makes it likely they will at least advance to the quarter finals.
2010 FIFA WORLD CUP
• USA
AT THE WORLD
CUP IN NUMBERS
World Cup Participation:
9 (6 wins, 3 undecided,
16 losses — 27:52 goals)
World Cup Victories:
Third place 1930.
Quarter finals 2002.
Round of 16 1934, 1994.
Record against Germany:
8 matches: 2 wins,
6 losses — 11:18 goals
Opponents in Preliminary Group C:
England, Algeria, Slovenia
� GW’s World Cup Tip:
Quarter finals
Summer 2010 www.german-world.com 25